[Maths-Education] What is the influence of educational research on mathematics education?

Thu, 7 Sep 2000 20:35:34 +0100

Dear Paul

I would advise you consider a somewhat different focus: namely, How would
mathematical learning and research have to be structured so that each CAN
inform the other? i.e. how is evidence-based learning possible?

This indicates that the links are not one-way but bilateral. Also,
"learning" is broader than "education". (L>E)

Implications are considerable, not only for practicioners (learners AND
teachers), but also for the political and financial environment within which
learning and research take place i.e. How can we learn about learning (L^2)?
And how much is it worth in investing in L^2 in order to improve L

I have been gabberflasted at recent proposals about evidence-based learning.
Education is in the situation that health was in 15 years ago. Now there is
some acknowledgement of the need for evidence-based healthcare (doctrine
precedes reality). Education is 15 years behind.

So - there's a possible outline plan. But I'm glad you are writing it, not
me!

Regards
JOHN BIBBY

>      -----Original Message-----
>      From: maths-education-admin@nottingham.ac.uk
>      [mailto:maths-education-admin@nottingham.ac.uk]On Behalf Of
>      Paul Ernest
>      Sent: 16 August 2000 20:28
>      To: maths-education@nottingham.ac.uk
>      Subject: [Maths-Education] What is the influence of
>      educational research
>      on mathematics education?

>      Dear Colleagues
>
>      What is the influence of educational research on
>      mathematics education? This question is an important one
>      and well worthy of discussion here. I think my views, and
>      you - list members - is likely to differ from that of the
>      politicians. And yet we would probably agree that some sort
>      of impact on some aspect of mathematics education practice
>      and its practitioners (which includes us all) is desirable!
>
>      However my goal is rather more mundane. I am contributing a
>      chapter to the Second International Handbook of Mathematics
>      Education, which will be published by Kluwer Academic
>      Publishers in 2002. My chapter is on the influence
>      of educational research on mathematics education, which I
>      interpret to mean the impact of research on mathematics
>      teaching, learning, and educational practice in general.
>      As well as exploring the theoretical issues involved I
>      will include a survey of exemplary projects in which the
>      impact of research on mathematics
>      education practice is evident. I would very grateful for
>      suggestions and nominations of projects together with
>      sources of documentation (eg references) where I can find
>      out the nature, aims, effects and evaluations of such
>      projects. I am interested in such projects in the UK and
>      worldwide - indeed my knowledge of the latter is more
>      limited.
>
>      Any thoughts or suggestions would be very welcome, but may
>      I suggest you send them just to me - unless you think what
>      you write is of general interest to members of this list?
>
>      I need such replies asap, and certainly within the next 2
>      months.
>
>      With thanks
>
>      Paul
>
>      -------------------------------------------------------------
>      ----------
>      Paul Ernest              Phone: +44-1392-264857
>      University of Exeter     Secretary: +44-1392-264877
>      School of Education      Fax: +44-1392-264736
>      Heavitree Road           Email: p.ernest@ex.ac.uk
>      Exeter  EX1 2LU, UK      Web: http://www.ex.ac.uk/~PErnest/
>
>